F1 clear the air with Ferrari over Lewis Hamilton broadcast

Formula One Management has cleared the air with Ferrari regarding the broadcasting of specific radio messages from Lewis Hamilton, which team principal Fred Vasseur has described as "a joke."

Following the Chinese Grand Prix, Vasseur made it clear he was unhappy with FOM for airing over the world feed broadcast only certain messages between Hamilton and his new race engineer Riccardo Adami.

This was initially the case during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix when there was the suggestion of issues between the seven-time F1 champion and Adami in the early days of their relationship.

This was followed up during the grand prix at the Shanghai International Circuit when it appeared as if Hamilton was ignoring a request from Adami to allow by team-mate Charles Leclerc, who had closed in behind the Briton.

What had not been aired was Hamilton initially stating he would "let Charles go because I am struggling", and Adami following up by declaring the swap to take place at the Turn 14 hairpin. 

After the race, an unhappy Vasseur said: "This is a joke from FOM because the first call came from Lewis - that Lewis asked us to swap." The Frenchman added that he would "discuss" the matter with them.

FOM has confirmed those discussions have taken place, making clear to Ferrari there was no malice behind its presentation of certain messages.

A FOM spokesperson said: “There was absolutely no intention of presenting a misleading narrative regarding the Ferrari team radio.

"Due to other situations developing during the race, the message from Lewis was not played but this was not intentional.”